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Team
Benji runs for CF
By
Enda Mullen |
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Vince
O’Farrell & Benji, aged 3, who is running a
marathon in aid of Cystic Fibrosis |
Many
of those who took part in this year’s London Marathon had
a special reason for doing so and Vince O’Farrell was one
of them.
Vince, from Berkswell in Solihull, signed up for the epic run to
raise funds for a cause very close to his heart.
His three year old son Benji suffers from cystic fibrosis, which
inspired Vince to run in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust - a national
charity dedicated to all aspects of the condition.
Cystic fibrosis affects the internal organs, especially the lungs
and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus, making
it hard for sufferers to breathe
and digest food.
Vince, aged 40, admitted it felt like a daunting task as he had never
attempted to run a marathon before and had just three months to prepare.
The good news for Vince was that he had the support of two close
friends who also formed part of ‘Team Benji’.
Pat Passley and Chris Matthews also signed up for the fund raising
run and together the trio hope to amass around £10,000 for
the charity.
The money raised from their efforts will go towards funding further
research into cystic fibrosis and providing a high standard of care
for people suffering from the illness.
The work of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust is vital, with scientists continually
looking for new ways to combat the illness’s adverse effects.
Cystic fibrosis is the UK’s
most common life-threatening inherited disease and affects five babies
born each week. The
average life expectancy of a sufferer is just 31.
Vince said: “It was a real challenge for me but the knowledge
I
was raising funds to help give
the 7,500 young people in the
UK with CF the chance of a better life helped spur me on to the
finish line.”
To sponsor Team Benji visit www.benjof.com or call Vince on 07968
695037.
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Wexford
family tragedy
A family of four was found dead in their home in Monagear, Co.
Wexford on Monday the 23rd of April.
Adrian Dunne, 28, his wife Ciara aged 24 and their two children
Leanne, 5 and Shania aged 3 were found at the home. It was reported
that Adrian and Ciara went to a local undertakers just days before
the tragedy enquiring about a family plot and requesting white
coffins for their two children. The undertaker raised his concerns
with gardaí, but prior to this incident the family were
not believed to be known as a risk by the local healthcare authority.
The cause of the death of the young family were not know at the
time of print
Paul Gilligan, Chief Executive of the Irish Society of Prevention
of Cruelty to Children has called for an independent inquiry
due to the warning signs being present with the parents trip
to the undertakers and a lack of action being taken.
Brian Lenihan, the Minister for Children has requested a report
from the Health Service Executive.
The tragedy has sparked a furious debate regarding Social Services
and its effectiveness in the county. |
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